Method and apparatus for predicting the quality of packet data communications

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a prediction of an available communication channel quality. According to the present invention, in response to a request for a communication channel, network devices are queried for network parameter status information. Based on the network status parameter information returned, a prediction as to the available quality levels available for the communication is made. An indication of the predicted quality of service for one or a number of requested service levels may be provided to the requesting user, who may then choose to defer initiation of the communication, or to proceed. A user may be notified when predicted quality levels available in connection with a requested communication reach a predetermined level, at which point the user may choose to establish the requested communication channel. Information regarding a rate associated with a requested quality of service level may also be provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to the prediction of packetdata communication quality. In particular, the present invention isdirected to predicting the quality of a packet data communication beforea communication link is established.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In a packet data network, the available bandwidth and latency mayvary over time. For this reason, the quality of a voice telephony, videoconference, or other real time communication may also vary over time.Because variations in communication quality can interfere with orprevent a successful communication, it would be desirable to provide anindication of the available communication quality before a communicationsession is established.

[0003] Internet protocol telephones that provide an indication of callquality while a call is in progress are available. In general, such atelephone analyzes the stream of network packets received as part of anongoing communication, and displays to the user an indication of theexisting call quality. However, such prior art devices only provide anindication of call quality while a call is in progress.

[0004] Systems that monitor network voice and video session quality areavailable. In particular, such systems monitor in-progresscommunications and provide information to network administrators thatallows administrators to identify sources of network qualitydegradation. However, such systems are incapable of providing apredicted communication channel quality to a user prior to theinitiation of a communication session.

[0005] In order to obtain a high quality communication link, quality ofservice (QoS) protocols have been developed. Where available, datapackets marked with high quality of service levels may obtainpreferential treatment from network resources. However, as can beappreciated, where available resources are insufficient, evencommunications using data packets marked for preferential treatment canbe of poor quality. In addition, network providers may charge premiumrates for delivering data packets marked to receive high quality ofservice levels. Therefore, quality of service protocols do notnecessarily provide required communication quality, and the use of highquality of service of levels can result in increased communicationcosts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to solving these and otherproblems and disadvantages of the prior art. According to the presentinvention, a predicted communication channel quality is provided to auser before a communication session is established. Accordingly, theuser may choose whether to proceed with a communication, or whether todefer initiation of the communication until a higher quality level isavailable from the network.

[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, theprediction regarding communication channel quality is made in responseto the receipt of network parameter status information. Networkparameter status information may be obtained by querying one or morenetwork devices for such information. In accordance with an embodimentof the present invention, network parameter status information mayinclude the status of queues present in one or more routers along thecommunication path, a priority level for each call in progress at thetime the query is made, the end to end delay for packets associated witha call already in progress, a packet loss rate associated with a call inprogress, the observed packet jitter for a call in progress, and a totalnumber of calls in progress. In general any QoS related parameter for acall in progress could be monitored.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, eachnetwork device along a communication path is queried for networkparameter status information. In accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention, those devices along a known portion of the pathare queried for network parameter status information, and a predictedquality level for the portions of a communication path serviced by thequeried devices is returned to the user.

[0009] In accordance with still another embodiment of the presentinvention, a user may be notified when the predicted network quality fora communication meets or exceeds a threshold level. Such notificationmay be provided to a user using a call back function. In particular, inresponse to a prediction that the network quality will not be at least aspecified threshold level, a user may enable a call back function. Thenetwork device or devices may then be periodically queried for networkparameter status information. Once the returned network parameter statusinformation is such that the predicted communication quality is greaterthan or equal to the threshold quality level, the user requesting theestablishment of the communication channel may be called. The requestedcommunication channel may then be established when the user answers thecall.

[0010] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, information regarding available communication quality can beused to determine an appropriate quality of service level to associatewith the data packets. For example, where traffic on a communicationnetwork is light, acceptable quality may be obtained using data packetsthat are marked for best effort delivery. When traffic levels arehigher, a high priority quality of service level may be required inorder to obtain a communication link having the desired quality.Accordingly, such an embodiment of the present invention allows moreexpensive quality of service levels to be selected only when doing so isrequired to obtain the desired communications link quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system suitable for use inconnection with a communication channel quality prediction system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network device in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication endpoint inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting a method for predicting thequality of a communication channel in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method for notifying a userthat the predicted quality of a communication channel is acceptable inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method for selecting a desiredcommunication channel quality in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] With reference now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In general, the communication system 100 includes acommunication network 104, a first communication endpoint 108, and asecond communication endpoint 112. A first user 116 may be associatedwith the first communication endpoint 108, while a second user 120 maybe associated with the second communication endpoint 112. According tothe present invention, the communication system 100 may include morethan two communications endpoints 108, 112, and/or users 116, 120, forexample in connection with a conference scenario.

[0018] The communication network 104 generally comprises a plurality ofnetwork devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the communicationnetwork 104 may include a number of network devices 124. For instance,as illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication network 104 may include afirst network device 124 a and a second network device 124 b. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the networkdevices 124 may comprise packet data routers or switches, includingprivate branch exchanges. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that thecommunication network 104 generally comprises a packet data network. Anexample of a communication network 104 in accordance with the presentinvention includes a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN)or a combination of networks. In addition, the communication network 104may include the Internet or a private intranet. As can appreciated byone of skill in the art, a very large number of network devices 124 maybe used in establishing a communication link between a firstcommunication endpoint 108 and a second communication endpoint 112.

[0019] In general, the first communication endpoint 108 may beselectively placed in communication with another communication endpoint,such as the second communication endpoint 112, across the communicationnetwork 104. As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art, theparticular path over which a communication link between twocommunication endpoints 108, 112 is established over a communicationnetwork 104 may vary. This is especially true in connection with apacket data network. In addition, the quality available for thetransmission of communications across a communication network 104 may beaffected by the servicing of other communication links or tasks byvarious network devices 124 associated with the communication network104. For example, where a network device 124 comprises an edge router,the total number of data packets, the number of data streams, and othertasks may affect the performance of the network device 124. Theinventors have recognized that by querying one or more network devices124, a prediction regarding the quality that can be expected inconnection with a communication link can be made.

[0020] With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a network device124 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In general, the network device 124 may include acommunication network interface 204 for interconnecting the networkdevice 124 to another network device and to a communication endpoint108, 112. In addition, the network device 124 may include memory 208 forthe storage of, for example, operating instructions and data, and aprocessor 212 for running operating instructions and for operating on orcreating data. The network device 124 may additionally include a datastorage 216 as an additional or alternative storage space for operatinginstructions and/or data.

[0021] The processor 212 may, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, perform instructions, for example stored in memory208 and/or data storage 216, for performing the communication linkquality check functions of the present invention, and/or receivingnetwork parameter status information from other devices 124, andproviding such information to a user 116, 120 through the qualityindication output 324 of a communication endpoint 108, 112.

[0022] As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art, where a networkdevice 124 comprises a packet data router, the device 124 generallyreceives data packets at the communication network interface 204. Therouter, implementing suitable operating instructions, then considers thedestination address of a data packet, and routes the data packet to anext network device 124 or to the receiving communication endpoint 112.As may also be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the networkdevice 124 may operate by referencing a table of other network devices124, including communication endpoints 108, 112.

[0023] A network device 124 comprising a router may additionally utilizequeues, for example established in memory 208, in which data packets areheld prior to transmission to a next network device 124 or communicationendpoint 108, 112. Data queues may be established in connection withdifferent ports available on the network device 124 or in connectionwith the provision of different quality of service levels. Depending onhow full the queues are, and thus how many other packets the networkdevice 124 is handling, a prediction or estimate of the quality of acommunication passing through the network device 124 can be made. Forexample, estimates of the end to end transmission time, packet jitter,and packet loss rates can be determined. Information regarding theactual quality delivered to other communication links establishedthrough a network device 124 may also be used to predict or estimate thequality that will be available to a requested communication link.Parameters of communications already in progress that may be used inconnection with a predicted call quality include end to end transmissiontime, jitter, packet loss rate, packet transfer rate and availablebandwidth.

[0024] With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a communicationendpoint 108, 112 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. In general, the communication endpoints 108,112 may be used in the transmission of audio (for example, in connectionwith voice telephony applications), audio and video (for example, inconnection with teleconferencing applications) communications, or anyother real-time communication. Accordingly, examples of communicationendpoints 108, 112 include telephones, Internet protocol telephones,soft telephones, video conferencing telephones, and soft videoconferencing telephones. In general, the communication endpoint 108, 112includes a communication network interface 304 for interconnecting thecommunication endpoint 108, 112 to a network device 124, 128 of acommunication network 104. In addition, the communication endpoint 108,112 may include an audio output 308 for delivering audible informationto a user, and an audio input 312 for receiving audible information froma user 116, 120. Additionally or alternatively, a communication endpoint108, 112 may include a video output 316 for providing visual output to auser 116, 120, and a video input 320 for receiving visual information.In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, acommunication endpoint 108, 112 may also include a server device fromwhich a stream of data, for example a video clip, is provided to acommunication endpoint 108, 112 associated with a user 116 or 120. Inaddition, a communication endpoint 108, 112 in accordance with thepresent invention may include a quality indication output 324. Thequality indication output 324 may be implemented as an audible, visual,or both audible and visual indicator. In accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, the quality indication output 324may utilize the audio output 308 and/or the video output 316 forproviding a quality indication to a user 116, 120. Accordingly, aquality indication output may include a bar indicator, a dial, or anindicator lamp.

[0025] The communication endpoint 108, 112 may additionally include anaddress input 328. The address input may comprise a keyboard and/orpointing device to allow a user 116, 120 to enter information regardinga destination communication endpoint 108, 112. For example, the addressinput 328 may be used to receive a telephone number from a user 116,120. Alternatively, the address input 328 may be used to input anInternet protocol or session initiation protocol address.

[0026] A communication endpoint 108, 112 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention may also include a processor 332 and/or memory336. The processor 332 may perform instructions, for example embodied insoftware stored in the memory 336 for performing the communication linkquality check functions of the present invention, and/or receivingnetwork parameter status information and providing such information to auser 116, 120 through the quality indicator output 324. The processor332 may also function in connection with the packetization ordepacketization of data.

[0027] With reference now to FIG. 4, the operation of a communicationquality prediction system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated. Initially, at step 400, a request toinitiate a communication is received. For example, the request toinitiate a communication may include the receipt of a telephone numberor other address entered by a user 116 at the address input 328 of afirst communication endpoint 108. In response to the request to initiatea communication, a network device or devices 124 along a path of therequested communication are queried for network parameter status ordevice information (step 404). In accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, each network device 124 along a path of a requestedcommunication is queried for network parameter status information. Inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, less thanall of the network devices 124 along a path of a requested communicationare queried for network parameter status information. Less than all ofthe network devices 124 may be queried where, for example, thecommunication endpoint 108 or network device 124 initiating the queryhas access to less than all of the network parameter status informationof other network devices 124. In accordance with still anotherembodiment of the present invention, only network devices 124 comprisingedge routers at the interface between a subnetwork including the firstor sending communication endpoint 108 and the communication network 104,and the second or receiving communication endpoint 112 and thecommunication network 104 are queried for network parameter statusinformation.

[0028] The network parameter status information returned in response tothe query may comprise device load information for each network devicethat is queried. For example the network parameter status informationmay include the number of packets presently queued within a networkdevice 124, the number of packets in a queue or queues within a networkdevice 124 of a specified quality of service level, the end to enddelay, packet loss and jitter observed in connection with communicationsin progress over some or all of the subnetworks within a communicationnetwork 104 that will be used for the requested communication, or otherindications of traffic levels or congestion in connection with acommunication network 104 and the associated network devices 124. Forexample, the network parameter status information may include the numberof voice streams currently traversing an IP trunk. The network parameterstatus information may be obtained using management information bases(MIBs) for network devices 124 comprising DiffServ enabled routers, orusing similar information made available by other quality of service(QoS) systems.

[0029] Upon receipt of the network parameter status information, aprediction regarding the communication channel quality available for therequested communication may be made (step 408). The prediction generallycomprises an estimate of the available quality based on the returnednetwork status parameters. Accordingly, the estimate may be based on oneor more different network status parameters returned from one or morenetwork devices 124. Furthermore, a different prediction may be made foreach segment or leg of the communication channel. For example, inconnection with a requested communication comprising an internationaltelephonic voice communication, a different quality prediction may bemade for the portion of the communication that will be carried across alocal trunk line, for the segment that will be carried across aninternational trunk line, and for the portion carried across a networksegment proximate to the receiving communication endpoint. Furthermore,a single predicted quality level comprising a composite of thepredictions made for individual segments may be provided. In addition,if network parameter status information for one or more segments isunavailable, a prediction of the available communication channel qualitymay be made for or based on only those segments for which information isavailable.

[0030] At step 412, a determination is made as to whether the predictedcommunication channel quality is of at least a threshold quality level.If the selected threshold quality level is met, the requestedcommunication link may be established (step 416). If the predictedquality level does not meet the predetermined threshold quality level,the user (e.g., user 116) may be notified that the predicted quality ispoor (step 420). At step 424, a determination is made as to whether theuser 116 has instructed the system to proceed with the requestedcommunication. If such an instruction has been received, the requestedcommunication link may be established (step 416). If such an instructionis not received, the establishment of the requested communication linkmay be deferred (step 428). For example, the user 116 may make anotherrequest to initiate the communication at a later time.

[0031] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,automatic notification to the user of predicted communication channelquality levels meeting a specified threshold value can be made. Inparticular, and with reference now to FIG. 5, the user 116 may requestnotification when the predicted communication channel quality is atleast a threshold quality level (step 500). A determination may then bemade as to the time elapsed since the last query of network devices 124regarding network status parameters was made (step 504). If the timeelapsed since the last query is not equal to or greater than a selectedtime period, the system idles at step 504. If the time elapsed since thelast query was made is equal to or greater than the selected timeperiod, a network device or devices 124 are queried for networkparameter status information (step 508). From the information returnedin response to the query, the communication channel quality is predicted(step 512).

[0032] At step 516, a determination is made as to whether the predictedquality is of at least a threshold quality level. If the predictedquality is not of at least a threshold quality level, the system returnsto step 504. If the threshold quality level is met, call back to theuser 116 is initiated (step 520). In general, the call back to the user116 may comprise a selected signal. For example, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the notification may be in the formof a ring delivered to the communication endpoint 108 proximate to theuser 116 that initiated the request for a communication link. At step524, a determination is made as to whether the user has responded to thecall back signal. If the user 116 has not responded, the procedure mayend (step 528). If the user 116 responds to the call back, for example,by lifting a receiver associated with the communication endpoint 108 orotherwise signaling an acknowledgment of its signal, the requestedcommunication link may be established (step 532).

[0033] With reference now to FIG. 6, the operation of a system allowinga desired level of communication channel quality to be selected inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.Initially, at step 600, a request to initiate a communication using aspecified service level is received. For example, a user 116 seeking toinitiate a communication but who is sensitive to the costs associatedwith doing so may specify a best efforts or other lost cost quality ofservice level. In response to the request to initiate a communication, anetwork device or devices 124 along a path of the requestedcommunication are queried for network parameter status information (step604). In particular, the network device or devices 124 may be queriedfor network parameter status information in connection withcommunications made using data packets marked with the requested qualityof service level. For example, only those queues established on anetwork device or devices 124 for use in connection with the specifiedquality of service level may be queried. Alternatively, networkparameter status information in connection with all queues on thenetwork device or devices 124 may be obtained.

[0034] The network parameter status information returned in response tothe query is then used to predict the communication channel quality thatwill be delivered at the requested quality of service level (step 608).Like the embodiment described for example in connection with FIG. 4, thenetwork parameter status information may be obtained from all or asubset of the network devices 124 along a communication path.Furthermore, the prediction of communication channel quality may bebased on management information base data for the network device ordevices 124, such as MIB information available from DiffServ enabledrouters.

[0035] At step 612, a determination is made as to whether the predictedcommunication channel quality is of at least a threshold quality level.If the selected threshold quality level is met, the requestedcommunication link may be established (step 616). If the predictedquality level does not meet the predetermined threshold quality, adetermination may be made as to whether a higher level of service isavailable (step 620). If a higher level of service is available, thenext quality of service level is obtained (step 624) and system thenreturns to step 604 to query the network device or devices 124 fornetwork parameter status information in connection with the newspecified service level. Alternatively, where network parameter statusinformation has been obtained previously that can be used for the newspecified service level, the system may predict the communicationchannel quality for the specified level of service (step 608) andproceed to step 612.

[0036] If a higher level of service is not available, the user may benotified that the predicted quality is poor (step 628). The user maythen choose to continue with the desired communication, or wait untilsuch time as a higher service level is available. Accordingly, at step632, a determination is made as to whether an instruction has beenreceived from the user 116 to proceed. If such an instruction has beenreceived, the requested communication link is established (step 616). Ifsuch an instruction is not received, the establishment of thecommunication link may be deferred (step 636). If the establishment ofthe requested communication link is deferred, the availablecommunication channel quality may be monitored and the user notified,for example as illustrated in connection with FIG. 5. Alternatively,establishment of the requested communication link may be deferredindefinitely.

[0037] In connection with an embodiment allowing a user to choosedifferent quality of service levels, such as shown in FIG. 6, a user maybe allowed to intervene to prevent establishment of a communication linkif doing so would require the use of a high requested quality of servicelevel. Furthermore, the quality of service level that is available forcommunication may be determined based on the type of communication thathas been requested. For example, a user 116 seeking to initiate apersonal communication from a workplace communication endpoint 108 maybe restricted from using the highest quality of service level or levels.Alternatively, where the communication is in connection with a call to aclient, even the highest quality of service levels may be available.

[0038] In accordance with an additional embodiment of the presentinvention, the user may be provided with rate information applicable todifferent requested quality of service levels. In accordance with suchan embodiment, the user may determine whether a communication linkshould be established with reference to the rate that will charged inorder to obtain a desired quality of service level.

[0039] As can be appreciated from the description set forth herein, thepresent invention is applicable to any time sensitive transmission ofdata. The present invention is particularly useful in connection withvoice and video conferencing telephony applications performed inconnection with packet data networks using a real-time transferprotocol.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the prediction ofavailable communication channel quality may be performed in a networkdevice, including a network device 124 comprising a router, or a privatebranch exchange, or by a communication endpoint 108, 112. In general,the steps of querying network devices, predicting availablecommunication channel quality levels, and notifying a user whenpredicted quality levels are acceptable after a deferred attempt toestablish such a channel may be performed in connection with any devicehaving access to information concerning network devices 124 associatedwith the communication network 104. Furthermore, the various functionsmay be distributed among a number of such devices.

[0041] In accordance with still another embodiment of the presentinvention, the predicted quality data for each of a number of availablecommunication links or routes may be used to allow the user, eitherthrough an automated process or manually, to select the highest qualityroute to the desired destination communication endpoint 112. Forexample, where there are several Internet protocol trunks through whicha destination communication endpoint 112 may be reached, the trunk withthe highest predicted quality can be identified and selected.

[0042] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Further, the description isnot intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the aboveteachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedhereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presentlyknown of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in theart to utilize the invention in such or in other embodiments withvarious modifications required by their particular application or use ofthe invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed toinclude the alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for predicting communication channelquality, comprising: querying at least a first network device; inresponse to said query, receiving network parameter status information;predicting a communication channel quality using said network parameterstatus information; in response to an acceptable communication qualityprediction, initiating a communication over said communication channel;and in response to an unacceptable communication quality prediction,waiting to initiate a communication over said communication channel. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein said at least a first network devicecomprises at least one of a router and a network switch.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein said at least a first network device comprises anedge router.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising querying atleast a second network device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein saidnetwork device comprises a router, and wherein each router along acommunication channel is queried.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein saidstep of querying a network device comprises querying a DiffServmanagement information base.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein saidnetwork parameter status information comprises at least one of a queuestatus, a priority level for each call in progress, end to end delay forpackets associated with a call in progress, a packet loss rate for acall in progress, observed packet jitter for a call in progress, and anumber of calls in progress.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: communicating said predicted communication channel qualityto a user by at least one of a visual display and an audible output. 9.The method of claim 1, further comprising: second querying of a networkdevice; second predicting a communication channel quality; and inresponse to said second predicting indicating an acceptablecommunication channel quality, initiating a communication to acommunication device over a route in connection with which saidcommunication channel quality was checked.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein said step of querying at least a first network device isperformed in response to receipt of a first address segment, said methodfurther comprising: querying at least a second network device; andpredicting a communication channel quality, wherein said step ofquerying at least a second network device is performed in response tothe receipt of a second address segment.
 11. A communication qualityprediction device, comprising: a communication network interfaceoperable to send and receive packet data, wherein said communicationquality prediction device is in communication with a network device;memory operable to store operating code; a processor operable to runsaid operating code, wherein said network device is queried regarding anetwork parameter status prior to initiation of a communication and aprediction regarding an expected communication quality is made; and acommunication quality indication output, wherein a user is provided withan indication of said prediction regarding an expected communicationquality.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said communication qualityindication output comprises at least one of a visual display and anaudible output.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein said communicationcomprises a voice over Internet protocol call.
 14. The device of claim11, wherein said network device comprises a router.
 15. A computationalcomponent for performing a method, the method comprising: receiving arequest to initiate a communication over a communication channel;querying a network device regarding at least first network parameterstatus information; and in response to receiving said at least a firstnetwork parameter status information, predicting a present quality ofsaid communication channel.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: signaling said predicted present quality of saidcommunication quality to a user making said request to initiate acommunication.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: receivingan instruction from said user to proceed with establishing saidcommunication.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said request toinitiate a communication comprises receiving from said user at least afirst address segment.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said at leasta first network parameter status information is related to a portion ofsaid communication channel indicated by said at least a first addresssegment.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein said network devicecomprises a router and wherein said at least a first network statusparameter comprises a queue status of said router.
 21. The method ofclaim 15, wherein said network device comprises a switch and whereinsaid at least a first network status parameter comprises a number ofother communications being handled by said switch.
 22. The method ofclaim 15, wherein said call comprises at least one of a voice telephonycommunication and a video conference communication.
 23. The method ofclaim 15, wherein said computational component comprises a computerreadable storage medium containing instructions for performing themethod.
 24. The method of claim 15, wherein said computational componentcomprises a logic circuit.
 25. A system for predicting communicationchannel quality, comprising: means for querying at least a first networkdevice for network parameter status information; means for predictingcommunication channel quality using said network parameter statusinformation; and means for communicating said predicted communicationchannel quality to a user.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein saidmeans for communicating comprises a call back function, wherein arequested communication link is established in response to a predictedcommunication channel quality that meets at least a threshold level. 27.The system of claim 25, wherein said network parameter statusinformation comprises at least one of a queue status, a priority levelfor an existing communication link, an end to end delay for an existingcommunication link, a packet loss note for an existing communicationlink, and a number of existing communication links.